Story and Pictures by Pesi Fonua

Upolu Samoa thrashed the Tau'uta Red 35-15 to take the 2007 IRB Pacific Cup at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa this afternoon.

Upolu put the first points on the score board from a penalty conversion by their No. 10 to lead 3-0. Tonga responded mid-way through the first half with a try by the Tau'uta No. 7, Mataiasi 'Aholelei. The Tau'uta No. 10 missed the conversion and the Tau'uta took the lead 5-3.

Upolu responded immediately with a try by their No. 7, and their No. 10 was successful with the conversion to put Upolu in the lead 10-5. Upolu extended its lead to 13-5 with another successful penalty conversion by their No. 10 just before half time.

During the first half both teams were very aggressive when attacking and defending.

Both teams came out firing at the beginning of the second half, but Upolu made a statement with try by their No. 6 soon after kick off. The No. 10 conversion went astray and Upolu led 18-5.

The Tau'uta responded with two tries in a row, first by their No. 2 and by their No. 10 to narrow the gap to 18-15. Unfortunately for the Tau'uta, from here until the final whistle, Upolu took control of the game. The No. 11 scored his first try and the conversion was over and Upolu extended its lead to 25-15. A penalty was awarded to Upolu and the No. 10 was successful with his conversion and further extended their lead to 28-15. The No. 11 scored his second try and the conversion was successful and the score was 35-15, and there it remained until the final whistle.

This is the second year in a row that a Samoan team has won the Pacific Cup. Last year it was the Savai'i Samoa. This year is the first time for one of the two Tongan teams to get into the final.